The health and safety of IES Abroad students is our highest priority. Regretfully, the conflicts in Ukraine and in Gaza continue. As such, IES Abroad will continue to prohibit independent student travel to these locations and their surrounding areas. To ensure student health and safety, IES Abroad (including IES Internships, and our Customized & Faculty-Led programs) will continue its complete travel ban for Ukraine, Russia, Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, and the greater Middle East, which includes Palestine, Yemen, Iran, Iraq, and Syria. Travel to countries bordering Russia and Ukraine (including Poland) must be approved in advance.
Be advised of the following:
- These regulations can be changed at any time as circumstances require.
- Students must monitor all communication from IES Abroad for updates to this policy.
- If a student's home campus prohibits travel outside of the host country, those students are not permitted to travel elsewhere at all (except for going home).
This is a matter of the utmost importance. Students who violate this directive on travel to Eastern Europe and the greater Middle East may be dismissed from their IES Abroad program. Questions about this policy can be directed to the Dean of Students Office in Chicago or the Center Director for their program abroad.